title: Ailing bones and failing kidneys: a case of chronic cadmium toxicity.
abstract: Heavy metal toxicity is often caused by occupational exposure. Chronic cadmium toxicity is a significant health concern among workers engaged in zinc smelting, battery production and silver jewellery industries, particularly in developing countries. We report the case of a 48-year-old man who presented with severe osteoporosis, impaired renal function and acquired Fanconi syndrome. He was finally diagnosed with chronic cadmium toxicity resulting from long-term occupational exposure. Cadmium has a long biological half-life and there is no effective treatment for people who are exposed to it. Therefore, an early diagnosis and prevention of further exposure are important.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Peerless Hospital and BK Roy Research Center, Kolkata, India. dr_sutirtha@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Sutirtha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chakraborty
authors.forename: Arup R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Dutta
authors.forename: Saubhik
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sural
authors.forename: Debkishore
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Susruta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sen
mesh_terms: D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002104:Cadmium / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D002105:Cadmium Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine; D005198:Fanconi Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D002104:Cadmium
keywords: Disease; bone disorders; toxicology